A Partial Conversion, or PC, is a
modification of Quake that is more than a mod but less than a total conversion. A PC is typically a collection of levels, weapon
modifications, or new skins placed over the existing
character models in Quake. There are many partial conversion
that are nearing completion or have just been released in
beta form. Most of them will face the same challenge as Total
Conversion: releasing a product that is based upon the
characters or creatures from a movie, television, or book.
Despite repeated warning, many new PCs and TCs devoted to
trademark and copyright protected ideas appear every month.

Spotlight

It is unclear whether Ritual Entertainment and Rogue Entertainment would
identify their Quake Mission Packs as
being partial conversion, but both seem to fit best into this
category. Both have new weapons, new monsters, and new
levels, but these modifications are not so extensive as to
dramatically alter the purpose, look, or feel of Quake. You
still play the same character and do the same things that you
would do in Quake; kill everything that moves.

The Mission Packs are certainly the most
impressive partial conversion available, but they should be
impressive. Both were produced by professionals and are only
sold commercially. Scourge of Armagon and Dissolution of Eternity
have raised the bar for the Quake derivatives expected during the next two quarters.

The PainKeep is one of the most successful and recognizable
partial conversions. Some of the amazing features of this PC
include 7 brand new weapons, 21 original deathmatch levels,
60 new models, 150 new sounds, and countless other
modifications of Quake. This enormous project, generated from
within the Quake community, easily competes with some of the
best product that have been sold commercially. The Pain Keep
team includes Chris Bolin, Shane Powell, Matt Houser, Joe
Skinner, Mark Lewis, Stephen F. Karl, Dan Martin, and Anders
Gustavsson.

Beyond Belief is an impressive collection of 7 single-player
Quake maps. These maps are some of the best to come from the
Quake community and are the creation of Matthias Worch, who has recently joined the team at Ritual
Entertainment. Beyond Belief is available for free download,
as is his Armageddon series of levels.